We had some discussions a while ago about the pros and cons of bins in our cellars or the larger communal bins in our area. There was heated debate and it was left unresolved. We have now had a recent note from Ollie our local Green Councillor, from the council department overseeing CityClean – ‘the binmen’. We have yet to be given suggestions for bin locations, or whether we can have the lighter cream bins rather than black.
Nov 2015
Cityclean have asked to meet with representatives from our association to revisit the issue of implementing communal waste and recycling collection in Palmeira Square and Adelaide Crescent. They are also contacting resident associations from the other squares which are still on bagged basement collections.
The main concern is that the current practice of crews having to haul refuse up from basements is not safe. While residents only take one or two bags a week down, collection crews can collect 20 or more bags from each basement. Cityclean say the practice presents a number of risks. The steps are often slippery when wet and the stores are often low and poorly lit. Cityclean staff have to reach in to dark bins to feel for the bags which can contain sharps and have been known to be home to rats and other vermin. There have been a number of near misses and recently one of the crew was quite badly hurt.
Cityclean would like to meet a number of our representatives to discuss the proposals and look at a number of potential bin locations. They would then like to consult all residents to seek their views. If a majority were in favour recommendations would be made the Council’s Environment Transport and Sustainability Committee to implement the changes. In the worst case scenario the council could stop collections from basements and require residents to place their rubbish on the pavement on collection day.
We are arranging an initial meeting with Cityclean and will keep you posted.
Thank you
Jan
Jan Jonker – Head of Projects Strategy, City Infrastructure